Who is this 19-year-old versatile French prodigy looked at by Chelsea and Arsenal? The next big Ligue 1 prospect?

Who is Arsenal and Chelsea target Boubacar Kamara? The next big French talent?

Calciomercato reports that Arsenal, Chelsea and AC Milan are in the race to sign Marseille’s 19-year-old centre- back Boubacar Kamara. Marseille’s technical assistant Claude Fichaux compares Kamara to PSG and Brazil skipper Thiago Silva in terms of his elegance and ability to read the game. The 19-year-old is under contract at the club until 2020 and the French side will have to do everything in their power to keep their prodigy.

Boubacar started his career as a midfielder but has been used as a central defender on multiple occasions. Marseille boss Rudi Garcia has admitted that he sees the player as a defensive midfielder, thanks to his good technique, sense of anticipation, ability to break the lines and comfort on the ball.

Kamara has started 14 games for Marseille in Ligue 1 this season and has come off the bench four times. The 19-year-old has also featured five times in the Europa League for the Les Phocéens and has been very impressive. Marseille are currently placed seventh in the league but are just three points off of fourth-placed St. Etienne.

The teenager made his debut for Marseille in the Europa League against Konyaspor in September 2017. He played the full 90 minutes as a defensive midfielder in a 1-0 victory. He started the next three games in the competition’s group stage in the same role.

The 19-year-old made his full league debut against Dijon, as a left back and played the full 90 minutes the following week against Montpellier as a centre-back. Hence, the depiction of versatility.

Boubacar Kamara averages 1.7 tackles per game, 1.6 interceptions per game and also 2.6 clearances per game in the Ligue 1. The 19-year-old Marseille jewel also boasts 2.6 long balls per game with an excellent passing accuracy of 87.9%. He has scored the winner in Marseille’s 1-0 victory against Bordeaux over the weekend and is enjoying a brilliant season so far. (Whoscored.com)

Kamara was linked with a move to Arsenal in 2016, but the youngster stayed in his home town as he didn’t want an immediate change in his surroundings. But with increasing interests from the biggest clubs in the world, a move is on the cards. Looking at the player’s attributes and flexibility, he would be a vital addition to any team around Europe.